Fall is a Season for Change – An Update for WE&RF SubscribersSeptember 21, 2017

Melissa L. Meeker
WE&RF Chief Executive Officer

Fall and Back to School are always a period of change. In reflecting on our recent work, I see change all around us. We are changing how our community looks at water and it is exciting to see the impact. July through October have been a whirlwind of activity, which began with the very successful 11th IWA International Conference on Water Reclamation and Reuse in Long Beach, California. It was lauded by our partners and peers as “world-class, … super smooth, the field trips and social events were all excellent.” If you missed the conference, you can find all of the materials on our website; but you will not want to miss next year’s event. The May 2018 WE&RF Research Conference, in Atlanta, Georgia, will take a fresh look at the latest research addressing the challenges of integrated water management and reuse. A partnership with the Water Research Foundation, the program will include two keynote sessions, plenary/panel discussions, multiple tracks of sessions, poster presentations, and technical tours. We are currently accepting abstract submittals.

August then rushed in with our first WE&RF Research Advisory Council meeting. During that meeting an exciting slate of new research projects were approved that will move the dial forward on water innovations. Next up was our August Workshop on potable reuse in the mid-Atlantic region. The first of several planned workshops, it was also a new format that took a fresh look at the changing use of recycled water in this region. The potable reuse workshop materials also are online.

September began with the 32nd Annual WateReuse Symposium, which featured dozens of WE&RF researchers, and the announcement of our Chief Research Officer, Jeff Mosher, as the WateReuse Person of the Year.Jeff’s selection for this honor is symbolic of the new partnerships we have been forging this year. In this instance, Jeff’s work conducted together with NWRI, Orange County Water District, and the State of California clearly illustrates our role in the implementation of the most progressive, forward-thinking water reuse projects throughout the nation.

This week, we announced a new partnership through the Leaders Innovation Forum for Technology (LIFT). By forging many partnerships for hubs and affiliates, we connect likeminded organizations to expedite resource sharing across geographic boundaries. LIFT will be just one our many activities highlighted at WEFTEC 2017.

At WEFTEC in Chicago, IL on September 30 - October 4, WE&RF will host a variety of research-related workshops and technical sessions. As always, we will honor our volunteers and announce the 2017 Paul L. Busch Award winner at our luncheon on Tuesday October 3. Of particular note is our Knowledge Development Forum, session 600 on the afternoon of Wednesday October 4. There, we will encourage water professionals to highlight new research topics that we should include in our research agenda. We want to ensure that we address the topics of the highest importance to the water community in both our research and innovation programs. If we don’t see you there, or at one of these other events, please visit our booth (#8145) at McCormick Place, any time throughout WEFTEC!